Chennai: An audio clip of Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar Diocese trying to buy the silence of a nun who charged him of rape, has been released into public domain. The clip revealed a Kerala priest mediating with the victim’s companion, who is also a nun, on the bishop's behalf. The priest could be heard trying to convince the nun to ask her friend to withdraw the police complaint against Mulakkal and also promising the victim property and a better 'posting' in the diocese in return.

Earlier, a similar audio clip, which revealed the Bishop offering a sum of five crore and a top position in the congregation in hopes to hush up the matter, was released to the media by the victim’s kin. The victim's conversation with Cardinal George Alencherry seeking his help to free her from the harassment was also revealed.

The victim, who hails from Kuravilangad near Kottayam, accused the bishop of raping her on several occasions between 2014 and 2016. The 44-year-old nun preferred a complaint with Kottayam Superintendent of Police Hari Sankar on
June 27. The police have recorded her statements, however, the investigating team is yet to question the Mulakkal.

Recently, the National Commission for Women (NCW) called upon the Centre to order a probe by a central agency into the case involving the bishop and also a sex scandal that involves four priests who were accused of raping a married woman by taking advantage of her secret confession.